What is needed to enter Zion National Park?

Zion National Park is open all year. All park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass upon entering Zion National Park. Find out what there is to do in Zion, from hiking to horseback riding. The Map and Guide and other park brochures are available to view or download.



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Zion National Park has three entrances, the South Entrance, East Entrance, and Kolob Canyons Entrance. As far as which one is best, really depends on where you want to go in Zion, but by far the most popular entrance is the South Entrance.

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Visitors can drive into Zion National Park, but parking is limited and fills up quickly. And from March to November, Zion's Scenic Drive is only accessible via shuttle. If you visit the park during off season, when the shuttle isn't running, you may enter in your private vehicle.

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Entrances to Zion 1. The main entrance to Zion Canyon, the most popular place in the park, is through Springdale, Utah. 2. The second most popular entrance is on the east side, on Zion-Mt Carmel Road.

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From early February through late November, Zion can be very busy. There may be a wait at park entrance stations, and parking often fills by early- or mid-morning. You can avoid delays if you park in Springdale and ride the free shuttle to the park.

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All visitors are required to use the shuttle to travel around the park, including along the six-mile Zion Canyon Scenic drive.

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Zion National Park is Open The park is 24 hours a day 7 days a week year round. When the Zion Canyon Shuttle System is operating, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by shuttle.

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Zion Parking Lots & Zion Parking Fees A $15 fee per vehicle in addition to the entrance fee is required in this case. Youth under 15 are free. Zion parking lots do exist inside Zion National Park but have very limited spaces and are not available from March to November.

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Highway 9 is a 14-mile stretch of road that goes through Zion National Park and connects the East side of the park to Zion Scenic Drive and Kolob Terrace Road. You are able to drive this route freely throughout the year. Many tourists drive this route every year to experience the marvel of the Mt.

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Starting mid-morning, lines to board the Zion Shuttle can be very long. We are talking an hour wait or longer. To have the best experience, plan on being on one of the first two shuttles of the day. During peak season and holiday weekends, plan to get in line at least 30 minutes before the first shuttle.

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The Zion National Park and Springdale town shuttles are free. You do not need a ticket, permit or reservation to ride.

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Ideally, you need at least two to three days to visit Zion National Park. This gives you enough time to hike the longer, more popular trails, such as Angels Landing and the Narrows, and you can also add in a few of the shorter, easier trails, such as the Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook.

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During the late spring and summer months, the park shuttle takes visitors through Zion, and for the rest of the year, you can drive your vehicle into the park. For the day hike, the Narrows is accessible from the last shuttle stop, called the Temple of Sinawava. This is the end of the road if you are driving yourself.

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Due to Zion's close proximity to some big cites, it's a great weekend destination. It's only logical that that Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday will be busier than other days. Especially during peak travel seasons of spring and summer. To help avoid crowds in Zion National Park visit mid-week.

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Best Time to Visit Zion National Park for Smaller Crowds If you have the flexibility, making the trip during the park's off-peak months of October through March means less crowded hiking trails and fewer view-blocking selfie sticks. If you're looking for a really quiet escape, January is the best time to visit.

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If you enter Zion, even if it is to pass through the park, you will need to buy a recreational use pass (park pass). Passes are non-transferable. Zion only sells park passes in person, and you can get a pass at any entrance station.

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Two Zion activities that we'll include as honorable mentions are the Kolob Canyons scenic drive which is about 40 miles north of the main canyon as well as Zion National Park helicopter tours. Both Zion activities are amazing and don't require any hiking at all!

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Zion Narrows has a number of waterfalls. The first you will reach, Mystery Falls, is accessible to almost everyone. Day hikers typically turn back once they reach this landmark. You can reach Mystery Falls less than a half mile from your starting spot at Temple of Sinawava.

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